British expat Vern Unsworth (left), who was labelled a ‘pedo man’ by Elon Musk, receives an MBE together with Lance Corporal Connor Roe (proper) for his or her function within the Thai cave rescue

In the meantime Christopher Jewell and Jason Mallinson, 50, from Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, have been given the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for exemplary acts of bravery.

Reacting to the announcement, Mr Unsworth stated: ‘This was a crew effort, and I am very honoured to have been recognised, significantly as you do not have interaction in a significant rescue anticipating this end result.

The British divers answered a name by Thai authorities to hitch a significant search after the group disappeared within the Tham Luang Nang Non cave, in Chiang Rai province, on June 23.

Aged between 11 and 16,they entered the caves and have become marooned at midnight till Mr Stanton, 56, from Coventry, and Mr Volanthen, 46, from Bristol, reached them on July 3.

However the rescuers nonetheless confronted the treacherous job of getting the crew safely out of the flooded and muddy labyrinth, and the persistent risk of dangerous climate heightened the danger.

Seven Royal Thai Navy Seals and a medic joined the boys within the cave and the children got diving classes as authorities continued to weigh up the 2 choices – anticipate circumstances to enhance or convey the boys out as quickly as attainable.

Each had been fraught with hazard and a stark reminder of the danger got here when a former navy Seal aiding the rescue effort died from an absence of oxygen throughout his mission.

The group disappeared on June 23 after their exit from the tunnels was lower off by a flash flood, prompting a global effort to avoid wasting the boys and their coach

With additional flooding anticipated and oxygen working low, it was determined to information the boys out by practically a mile of flooded caverns and tight passages.

The enjoyment that greeted the emergence of the final of the crew on July 10 – after 18 days underground – rippled world wide.

Nonetheless a weird spat ensued between Mr Musk and Mr Unsworth, a diver who had claimed the House X founder’s presents to assist save the youngsters with a ‘tiny, kid-size submarine’ had been only a ‘PR stunt’.

Mr Unsworth, initially from St Albans however now dwelling in Thailand, had expertise of the caves the place the boys turned caught.

The billionaire took exception to Mr Unsworth’s suggestion that he might ‘stick his submarine the place it hurts’ and stated, in a tweet deleted a short while later, ‘sorry pedo man, you actually did ask for it’.

Mr Musk apologised however then repeated the jibe and Mr Unsworth is suing him in a US courtroom.

‘Individuals from all around the nation and the world have reached out to us to supply congratulations and specific their gratitude,’ the 36-year-old stated.

‘Behind each one of many cave divers being honoured is a supporting solid of household, associates, rescue volunteers and employers. The assist and assist from all these folks made it attainable for us to finish a profitable rescue.

‘I have been actually touched by the way in which everybody has responded. Not solely the caving and diving communities which have rallied round us but in addition the assist and help we have had from our employers and work colleagues.

‘I actually respect the popularity our BCRC crew is receiving with these honours and because of everybody that nominated us.’

Mr Bratchley, 27, a Met Workplace meteorologist primarily based at RAF Valley, in Anglesey, North Wales, stated it was ‘unimaginable to be recognised in such a manner’.

‘We might wish to sincerely thank everybody who helped us in any capability and make it clear that such a rescue might by no means work in any other case – the diving was simply the tip of a really giant iceberg,’ he added.